Steve Rosenberg: Russia seeks diplomatic and economic gains from Iran war
President Putin pits himself as a potential mediator but that's not an easy sell, writes the BBC's Russia editor. [Continue Reading]
Russia's Position Strengthens Amid Middle East Turmoil and Potential US Sanctions Easing
The geopolitical landscape is changing as Russia finds itself in a surprisingly advantageous position amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Recent discussions between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, signal a potential easing of oil sanctions as a response to soaring energy prices linked to the conflict. While it remains unclear if Russia will be directly included in any sanctions relief, such moves may pave the way for Moscow's resurgence on the world stage, marking a significant pivot in international relations. Tuesday's conversations between Trump and Putin underscored a shift in focus towards energy... [Continue Reading]
Putin caught in coughing fit in behind-the-scenes footage released by mistake
Putin likes to portray himself as a picture of health [Continue Reading]
U.S. Eases Limits on Russian Energy as Oil Prices Soar
The volatility in energy markets because of the war in Iran could not come at a better time for President Vladimir V. Putin. [Continue Reading]
As energy prices soar, Russia emerges as major winner of Middle East war
Russia has so far been the only winner from the war in the Middle East as energy prices soar and attention for its war against Ukraine has faded, EU Council President Antonio Costa has said. Late on Monday, US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the war amid reports that Trump's administration is considering reducing oil sanctions on Russia - in a bid to boost world supplies of oil. [Continue Reading]
Could Putin be the big winner of the Iran war?
👉 Listen to This Is Why on your podcast app 👈 [Continue Reading]
Europe’s borders under threat from Russia: Baltic states gear up for war
On Europe’s eastern flank, the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – fear they could become Vladimir Putin’s next target. After several drone incursions from Russia, the three countries are stepping up their defence strategies on the ground and in the air. This report from our colleagues at FRANCE 2 and FRANCE 24’s Guillaume Gougeon. [Continue Reading]
Trump says will waive some oil sanctions after talks with Putin
US President Donald Trump said Monday that he will waive some sanctions on oil to boost supply and bring down prices, due to market turmoil over war in the Middle East. Trump did not specify any country or provide details on which sanctions would be lifted, but his comments came after speaking to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, a country that has been put under strict oil sanctions by the US and Europe since the invasion of Ukraine. [Continue Reading]
Russia Condemns US-Israeli Strikes in Iran as Unprovoked Aggression Against Sovereign State
Russia has responded to the recent escalation of military operations in Iran, specifically condemning the US-Israeli strikes as an "unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state." This reaction signals a significant shift in diplomatic rhetoric, as both Russia and the US are employing similar strategies to frame their respective military engagements as defensive operations rather than outright wars. The US has labeled its intervention as "Operation Epic Fury," paralleling Russia's characterization of its military approach in Ukraine as a "special military operation." In both scenarios, national leaders, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, invoke historical... [Continue Reading]
‘Sounds familiar’: how the US-Israeli war in Iran parallels Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Both campaigns have been framed differently at different times, with dubious claims of defensive action and a curious reluctance to label it warShifting goals, unclear timelines and a flimsy pretext: at times, the US-Israel campaign against Iran carries curious parallels of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.The comparison is far from exact. In 2022, Putin sent a massive army across Ukraine’s borders in an unprovoked invasion of a democratic state, a campaign that quickly resulted in heavy losses. The United States has so far largely limited its involvement to airstrikes against Iran’s authoritarian regime. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US State Department Orders Evacuation of Diplomats from Turkey and Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating US-Iran Conflict
The US-Iran conflict escalates further as the US State Department has ordered additional diplomats to evacuate from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This decision follows heightened tensions due to Iranian counterattacks, raising concerns over the safety of American personnel in the region. The evacuation underscores the precarious situation as hostilities continue since the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, which has escalated military operations involving US and Israeli forces against Iranian assets. In a recent overview, it has been reported that since the onset of the conflict, the US and Israel have conducted airstrikes on 5,000... [Continue Reading]
Trump says US-Israeli war on Iran will be over ‘very soon’
US president speaks in Florida after a call with Putin, who said he wanted to be 'helpful' on Middle East war. [Continue Reading]
Trump and Putin discuss ‘quick’ ending to Iran war
US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that American military objectives in Iran were nearly complete and the conflict could be nearing an end - a declaration met with a defiant vow from Tehran that the war would end on its own terms. Speaking at a news conference in Florida on the same day he discussed the war in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump claimed the US was “achieving major strides towards completing our military objective”, adding that “some people could say... [Continue Reading]
Putin says Russia can supply oil, gas to Europe as energy prices soar
Russian president spoke as oil prices surged past $100 per barrel, reaching levels unseen since start of Ukraine war. [Continue Reading]
Roman Abramovich disputes UK government's handling of £2.5 billion from Chelsea sale amid ongoing sanctions issues
Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch and former owner of Chelsea Football Club, has heightened his conflict with the British government concerning the £2.5 billion proceeds from the sale of the club. The funds have been in a frozen UK bank account since the transaction, triggered by sanctions imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich contends that he has the right to determine how these funds should be allocated, despite the legal complications stemming from international sanctions that target his assets. In its bid to curb the influence of oligarchs with close ties to President Vladimir Putin, both the... [Continue Reading]
China can’t buy Elon Musk’s theory on space-based AI centres: experts
China should not follow SpaceX in launching artificial intelligence data centres into orbit, but instead focus on more practical near-term space-based computing, a senior researcher has said. Gao Wen, a computer scientist at Peking University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said on Thursday that electricity demand was not a major bottleneck for AI data centres in China, meaning there was little reason to move them into space. In a Sina News interview during the annual “two... [Continue Reading]
Roman Abramovich ready to fight UK government over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale
Russian oligarch says money is his to allocate despite international sanctions imposed on his assetsThe Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has stepped up his row with the British government over the £2.5bn proceeds of his sale of Chelsea FC, insisting that the money is his to allocate despite the international sanctions imposed on his assets.The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, freezing his assets in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine's war through the letters of its children
Ukraine's children have grown up amid four years of Vladimir Putin's war. Some who survived have revealed their sadness, hope, torment and aspirations. [Continue Reading]
Ukraine war briefing: drone experts will be in Middle East in coming days, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian president hopes for reciprocal support for Kyiv in repelling Russian forces. What we know on day 1,474Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Kyiv’s drone experts will be on site in the Middle East “next week”, as he seeks US air defence missiles in exchange for drone expertise. Ukraine is facing a shortage of the expensive US PAC-3 air defence ammunition and Kyiv fears a longer Middle East war could disrupt supplies even further. When asked how exactly he wants to help the United States and its Gulf allies repel the drones, Zelensky said: “It is too early... [Continue Reading]
How Trump’s War in Iran Has Echoes of Putin and Ukraine
The many similarities between the White House’s justification for war in Iran and Russia’s messaging on Ukraine underscore the risks of a vaguely defined, open-ended war. [Continue Reading]
Iranian Kurdish Forces Signal Potential Cross-Border Military Operation Against Iranian Government
The ongoing tensions between Iranian Kurdish forces and the Iranian government have escalated, with Babasheikh Hosseini, the secretary-general of the Khabat Organisation of Iranian Kurdistan, indicating a significant likelihood of a cross-border ground operation into Iran. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hosseini emphasized that although no immediate action has been taken, the group's considerations are increasingly leaning towards a military campaign against Iranian positions, particularly in light of perceived favorable conditions. Hosseini conveyed that the Kurdish forces have been preparing for a potential incursion for an extended period. His statements come amid reports that the United States has established contact with... [Continue Reading]
Russian LNG tanker sinks in Mediterranean after alleged Ukrainian drone strike
A significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea, where the Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, has sunk following an alleged drone strike by Ukraine. Sharing the incident details, Moscow claimed that Ukrainian drones targeted the ship late on a recent Tuesday night while it was approximately 150 miles (240 km) off the coast of Libya, carrying 61,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Although there were no fatalities reported among the crew of 30, the vessel went ablaze before ultimately sinking. The Russian government has strongly condemned this alleged act, with... [Continue Reading]
Russian tanker carrying LNG sinks in Mediterranean Sea near Libyan port of Sirte following explosions and fire
A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea, a significant development as tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine. The incident occurred near the Libyan port of Sirte, with the Libyan port authority reporting that the vessel was struck by "sudden explosions followed by a massive fire," leading to its eventual sinking. This event marks a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly accusing Ukraine of responsibility. According to reports, the tanker was involved in transporting LNG across the Mediterranean when it was struck. The Libyan port authority... [Continue Reading]
